by Ashe, Karina
ONE NIGHT
The Hawkins Brothers Part 2
KARINA ASHE
Copyright © 2015 KARINA ASHE
All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission of the copyright holder. This book contains sexually explicit content which is suitable only for mature adults.
Cover design by ResplendentMedia.com.
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One
Leah Frane nearly floated out of the office building.
After a few hours of laughing with her boss, Marcus Hawkins, unpacking his new gaming computers and watching him set them up, she was primed for their night together. It may have been paid for—by him—but she planned to make it unforgettable, for both of them.
She was falling hard for her former bad boy.
Her car was parked in the garage around the corner. She power walked down the sidewalk, around the building—and crashed into the figure that stepped out of a narrow alley.
“Oh, God—I’m so sorry. Are you…” Her voice faded when she recognized the woman in front of her. Tanya Black, banking heiress—and Marcus’ stalker ex-girlfriend.
“I told you, bitch. I told you to stay away from him.” Tanya stepped closer, and Leah stumbled back when a knife flashed between them. Tanya caught her arm and yanked her forward, the knife tip pressed against the hollow of her throat. “Keep your fat hands off him, or this,” she dug the tip in, and Leah fought a scream as pain burst across her chest. “This little pain will seem like a gift compared to what I will do to you. Then he will be next.”
She shoved, and Leah lost her balance, tumbling to the sidewalk.
“Please,” she whispered. “Don’t hurt him. I’ll stay away, as long as you don’t hurt him.”
“Quick learner. Good.” Tanya leaned over her, waving the knife in her face. It took all her control not to recoil. Somehow, she knew if she moved at all, the woman above her would snap. “Keep it up, and you might survive.” After endless seconds, Tanya straightened, backing into the alley. “I’m watching you. Both of you. Come near him again and you’re both dead.”
She disappeared into the shadows.
Shaking so badly she could barely function, Leah reached up and touched her throat. Her fingers came away bloody.
“God—Marcus—” She had to warn him. Tanya could be headed for him right now. Just because she said she wouldn’t hurt him didn’t mean she’d keep her promise. Leah crawled over to the wall and leaned against it as she dug out her phone. “Please let him be safe. Please…”
Two
Marcus couldn’t remember the last time he had fun with a woman.
Most of the women he dated wanted to show up to the latest must-be-there event on his arm, be fawned over—with expensive gifts whenever possible—and end each long night with sex. After several years of meaningless dating, it was like checking off a to-do list. He expected to eventually marry one of them, because that’s what was done in his family. So far, he’d been able to put it off, especially with the explosion of his tech company.
The hobby had become his new obsession, pushing him to the forefront of the fast and furious tech world. He didn’t want anything else, not until he reached the lofty goals he set for himself.
Then Leah Frane walked into his life.
She was a puzzle, an intriguing one, and he meant to unravel her secrets. Slowly, with both hands. He couldn’t wait for tonight—especially with her challenge of keeping their clothes on. He leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on the desk, sorting through the options he had already thought up to get around that little barrier—
His phone rang, startling him out of sexy thoughts of Leah, and him, up against a wall. With a silent curse he reached forward and grabbed the phone. It was probably his brother Graham, with some other way to irritate him.
“Hawkins.”
“Marcus? Oh, thank God! You have to get out, now—she coming for you—”
“Leah?” He sat up, cradling the phone. She sounded hysterical, and Leah Frane was anything but. “What happened, sweetheart?”
His voice seemed to calm her. She took a shaky breath, her voice more even. “Tanya jumped me.”
His heart skipped. He forced himself not to shout. “Where are you?”
“On the side of the building, near the parking garage.”
“Get inside, stay with the attendant. I’m coming to get you—”
“She told me not to see you again—that she would—”
“Fuck her, Leah.” He used his language to shock her out of her panic. “She tried to control my life once. I’m not letting her do it again. Get to the garage and wait for me.”
Before she could object he hung up.
He shoved out of his chair and grabbed his jacket on his way out of the office, wishing he had his pistol here and not in his desk at home. From this point on, he’d been carrying it, until that crazy woman was out of his life for good.
Threatening him was one thing. She crossed the line when she went after Leah.
She’d pay for that.
***
Leah waited for him in the small attendant’s booth. The first thing Marcus saw was the blood on her collar.
I won’t react—not here. Not until I get her someplace safe.
“Hey, Tom.”
“Mr. Hawkins. This pretty lady needs a ride home, I’m thinking. A little too shook up to drive on her own.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Marcus pulled some bills out of his wallet and handed them to Tom. “If you can bring my car around, this should cover Leah keeping hers overnight.”
“Will do, Mr. Hawkins.”
Marcus waited until Tom jogged across the lot, disappearing among the cars. Then he took Leah’s hands, startled by how cold she felt. He found the source of the blood, and relief swept through him when he was it was a small wound, and no longer bleeding.
“Talk to me, sweetheart.”
She finally looked at him. Tears streaked her face, and she was so pale he expected her to pass out any second. But her voice was strong when she finally spoke.
“I want to go home.”
“I’m going to take you home—long enough for you to pack a few things. Then you’re staying in a hotel. At my expense, Leah, so don’t even start to argue about how you can’t afford it.”
“You don’t need—”
“I do need.” He took a deep breath, reined in his temper. It wasn’t meant for her. “You are on Tanya’s radar because of me. I refuse to let her barge into my life again. The first time was enough of a nightmare.” He cradled Leah’s cheek, glad to see some color back in her face. “I planned to ignore her until she left, like I normally do. But that was before she went after you. That was her mistake.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Get the police involved.” He gently brushed her skin, under the small cut. “We are going to photograph that, give them your statement, and I’m going to file a restraining order. For both of us.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble—”
“Leah.” His hand slid down, cupped her chin. “First of all, you did not cause the trouble. That was all Tanya. You were just the easiest target for her to go after. She’s been banned from my building since our third date.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “That must have been some da
te.”
“It should be given the date from hell award.” Her smiled appeared, and he resisted the need to kiss her, to feel her in his arms, safe, alive. “I’ll tell you more about this once we get you settled, but my friend Fantine needs an assistant, just until she finds a replacement. I want you to step in.”
“To get me out of the way.”
“To keep you safe.” He gave in and kissed her. She stiffened at first, then opened her mouth under his. His cock hardened at the feel of her warm lips, of her tongue sliding against his. Damn him, he was a goner. He eased back, framed her face. “I care about you, Leah Frane, and I want you safe.”
“Okay,” she whispered. She sounded as unsteady as he felt. “Don’t you dare confront her, Marcus Hawkins. She’s one step from crazy.”
“I’d say she’s already crossed over far into crazy. I won’t,” he said when she opened her mouth to probably argue with him. “My first priority is keeping you safe.” Tom showed up with his Benz, and Marcus helped her off the high stool. She clutched his arm, which told him she was still shaky. He took advantage, wrapped his arm around her waist, and led her to the passenger side. “I’m going to take you home first. Pack what you need for a couple of nights—we’ll buy anything else.”
She touched the hand he reached out to open the door. “Thank you, Marcus.”
He leaned in and kissed her again, feeling her relax against him. Good—for now he wanted her relaxed. Later, when this shit storm had been sorted, he wanted her to be anything but relaxed when he kissed her.
It looked like their night was about to be postponed.
***
After Marcus left her, tucked in one of the big, comfortable chairs in her hotel suite, Leah finally began to breathe. He had been so sweet, and accommodating, and concerned—and smothering.
Her normal M.O. for post-upset was a funny movie and ice cream or popcorn. Sometimes both, depending on what had upset her. She had spent more than one night unwinding with a couple of romantic comedies and a big bowl of homemade chili, plus dessert, after a day spent in meetings trying not to touch Marcus as he leaned over her.
“No need to worry about that in the near future,” she muttered. Restless, she pushed out of the chair and started pacing the huge suite. Again, Marcus had been generous, thinking of her comfort in staying at a hotel, possibly long term.
She leaned against the floor to ceiling window, staring out at the city skyline.
Marcus chose a hotel near Fantine’s studio, so Leah wouldn’t have to worry about Tanya breaking into or vandalizing her car. Leah did draw the line at a car and driver; she needed a little freedom, even if it was only walking the two blocks between the studio and the hotel.
The day’s events finally caught up with her, and she wandered into the bedroom, hanging the fluffy white robe on the back of the bathroom door. Her fingers brushed the bandage at the base of her throat, where Tanya had cut her. Marcus had cleaned it, wiping away the blood that stained her skin, so gentle as he applied antiseptic cream, then the bandage. She saw a different side of him tonight; the nurturing man she never knew existed under his intense, driven exterior.
That man could steal her heart.
“Enough,” she whispered. It was time for bed. She had a meeting with Fantine in the morning, and she wanted to look her best. She picked up her phone and set the alarm, glancing at the time. It was only 9:30. If tonight had been their one night, they would have been—
She didn’t want to go there now. Her body heated just thinking about what might have happened.
“Okay. Definitely time for bed.”
Leah braided her hair, so it would be easier to pull back in the morning. She wanted to look professional, but also stylish. Marcus had some clothes sent up from the store in the lobby. Part of her wanted to refuse, but she knew none of her boxy suits would work for a fashion design studio, so she let it go.
She wandered over to the double closets to look over her choices so she didn’t have to do a last minute throw together in the morning. Her eyes widened when she opened the first door.
The closet was completely full.
Shaking, she turned and opened the second closet. Full—and this one had shoe boxes stacked against one wall, a photo of the shoes inside taped to the end of each box. He must have called before they even headed to Leah’s apartment, not that she would have noticed. She was still so numb from the attack, and more than a little scared for Marcus.
She knew better than to call him on it, or even try to ask him to take the clothes back. She’d arrange something with the hotel, and only wear as few pieces as she could get away with.
Her firm resolve started to wobble as she looked through the selection. No one would ever fault Marcus Hawkins for his taste. The clothes were, in a word, exquisite. Simple lines, but silhouettes she knew would flatter her in the best way. It took over an hour just to narrow down her choices for tomorrow.
After waffling back and forth, she finally settled on a pair of black jeans, a gorgeous silk tunic with a pattern in turquoise and blues, and a pair of blue flats. Satisfied, and exhausted, she looked at the clothes one more time before closing each closet and heading back into the bedroom.
Climbing into the big bed revealed bruises she didn’t remember feeling before now. She was going to be more than a little sore tomorrow—but no matter how she felt, Marcus would never know. He already had enough guilt piled on his shoulders, even if the attack wasn’t his fault. Never mind the fortune he just spent on her in clothes.
“Deal with it tomorrow, Leah.” She shifted around until she found the least painful position, afraid she wouldn’t be able to rest at all after what happened, and promptly fell asleep.
***
Fantine Baroque waited for Leah in the small showroom at the front of her studio.
“Leah Frane. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Fantine took both of Leah’s hands, squeezing them in welcome—then spread them wide to look at her. “You are even more than I expected.”
“More?” Leah hoped they hadn’t just started the interview with an insult.
“Curvy, lovely, radiant. That gown must have looked incredible on you.”
“I did feel lovely in it. Thank you so much for taking the time to alter it for me.”
Fantine let her go and waved one hand. “It was a simple nip and tuck. I don’t mean to be forward, but,” she gestured to Leah’s waist. “May I?”
“I—sure.”
She jerked when Fantine closed both hands around her waist. “Marcus wasn’t lying. So the gown wasn’t too tight?”
“No—it fit perfectly. How did you get my waist measurement?”
Fantine grinned. “From your handsy boss.”
“What—oh.” She remembered—his hands circling her waist, then sliding down her hips as he pushed her out of his office. She’d been so freaked out about him sweet talking her into a date she forgot that bit. “Is there a reason you need to feel up my waist?”
Fantine burst out laughing. Once she was able to talk, she grabbed Leah’s hand and pulled her through a tall door. Straight into chaos.
People swirled around her, some talking, most yelling, all of them moving fast.
“Welcome to my madness.” She tugged on Leah’s hand and moved toward what looked like a four walled oasis. Once Fantine led her inside and shut the door, blissful silence surrounded them. “Soundproof. I insisted on it. Now, take a seat and I’ll tell you why I was feeling up your waist.”
Laughing, Leah sat in the chair next to the chrome and glass desk. “I can’t wait to hear it.”
“By your reaction, I’m guessing Marcus didn’t tell you about my offer.”
“Filling in until you find a new assistant? Yes—that’s why I’m here.”
“That was part of it.” Fantine leaned forward. “I also want you to be a fit model for my new line.”
“You—what?” Her brain threatened to short out at the mention of model and her in the same sentence. “I d
on’t—”
“I have a new line I’m designing, for women with hips, and breasts. Not the sticks who run around my studio pretending that a lettuce leaf is a filling meal.” Leah bit her lip to keep from smiling. “You think I kid. I wish I was.” She shook her head. “The competition is cutthroat, and these women will do whatever they have to in order to stay at the top.”
“Why me?”
“When Marcus described you, and—outlined your figure with his hands, I knew you would be perfect.” Leah blushed at the thought of him in here, tracing her figure in the air to this trim, gorgeous woman. “Stop, Leah. You are stunning, and I want to design the line around you. Some of the clothes will have to be looser in the waist, because very few women are gifted with one like yours. But I’ll sneak in a few pieces, for those who are, to show off that hourglass figure of yours. Can you stand up for me?”
“I—okay.” This interview had her head spinning. She gripped the arms of the chair, needing something solid to ground her. Then she realized she would have to let go of the chair to stand. “Where do you want me?”
“In front of the door.” Leah moved there, facing Fantine, and feeling incredibly awkward. Fantine stood, dark eyes scanning every inch of her. It just upped the awkward. “Do you mind if I cinch in your blouse? I’d like to get a better sense of your figure.”
“Sure.” It was already surreal—why not keep going. But she’d draw the line at taking anything off. Except her shoes. Maybe.
Fantine grabbed a length of thin ribbon off her desk and crouched in front of Leah, wrapping the ribbon around her waist several times, like a corset, then tied it off just under her breasts. Leah should have been uncomfortable, but the other woman was so professional, treating her like a mannequin. Instead of feeling awkward, she relaxed—until Fantine started walking around her, scrutinizing every angle.
“I’d want to measure you first, do a couple of test outfits. But if you’re willing, Leah, I would love to have you as a fit model.”
“That’s just—here, right? Not any runway, or cameras.”
“Right. You’re like a living mannequin. I can see how the clothes move, what needs to be fixed to make them more comfortable, more marketable. So what do you say?”
